February 7, 2013
Illinois

Wind farm hearings end after 26 meetings

By Staff Report | February 7, 2013 | www.saukvalley.com

DIXON – After 26 meetings, the Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday ended its hearing for a proposed wind farm.

The board got through all of the public’s closing statements on the 53-turbine project at its Monday and Tuesday meetings, so it canceled its Wednesday session.

Now, the board must meet to agree on a recommendation on a proposal to the Lee County Board, a process that involves establishing “findings of fact.”

No date has been set for the board’s next meeting.

Last year, Ireland-based Mainstream Renewable Power submitted applications for wind turbines in Whiteside, Bureau and Lee counties.

In August, Whiteside County approved Mainstream’s proposal for nine turbines. In Bureau County, the zoning panel recommended against the company’s plan for 19 turbines. Mainstream then withdrew its Bureau County proposal, saying it would resubmit.

Lee County’s hearings started in July.

The Lee County Board will have the final say on the proposal.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/07/wind-farm-hearings-end-after-26-meetings/